SAMIM

The SADC mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) derives its mandate from the decision of the SADC Summit, at its meeting held in the Republic of Mozambique on 23rd June,2021, to approve the deployment of a SADC Standby Force Rapid Deployment Capability for an initial period of three months. The initial period is subject to extension for a further period depending on the evolution of the operational situation on the ground. SAMIM forces were launched by SADC and the host nation on the 9th of August 2021 and have now achieved full operational capability as well as gaining some success.

The SAMIM is mandated to;

a) Support the Republic of Mozambique to combat acts of terrorism and violent extremism by neutralizing the threat and restoring security in order to create a secure environment;

b) Support the Republic of Mozambique to strengthen peace and maintain security through implementation of courses of action recommended by the Organ Troika Summit plus Mozambique held on 27 may 2021;

c) Support the Republic of Mozambique to restore law and order in affected areas of Cabo Delgado Province;

d) Provide air and maritime support in order to enhance the Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mozambique (FADM) operational capabilities;

e) Provide logistics and training to enhance FADM capability to combat terrorism;

f) Provide support to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique, in collaboration with humanitarian agencies in the Republic of Mozambique, to continue providing humanitarian relief to the population affected by the terrorist activities, including the internally displaced persons (IDP’s).

Having been given the above mandate by the region and taking into account the bilateral agreements that exist between the host nation and other countries, SAMIM has been working with the host nation and other actors to achieve coordination. Coordination and cooperation with other actors in the area is of utmost importance in achieving synergy as all these stakeholders are driven by a common goal; a stable and secure Cabo Delgado Province.

Given the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in Cabo Delgado, where over 800 000 people have been internally displaced, SAMIM forces have actively engaged with non-military actors including state institutions as well as non-state actors such as the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Pemba for the purposes of coordination in preparation for future humanitarian interventions. SAMIM continues to engage UN OCHA in educating its forces about some of the challenges they may encounter in the mission area i.e. issues of human rights abuse and those relating to women and children.

To date, SAMIM has been conducting operations within its designated Area of Responsibility, in close coordination with FADM forces. As a result of this coordination, SAMIM forces raided an insurgent hideout in the general area of Muera, south of Mbau on Saturday 28 August 2021 where it captured one insurgent, recovered several items including vehicles, weapons and documents. The captured insurgent was subsequently handed over to FADM and the documents shared with other forces for intelligence exploitation.

On a somber note, SAMIM forces have recently lost two members due to accidents. A member from Botswana was on 29 July 2021 involved in a motor vehicle accident that claimed his life whilst a member from United Republic of Tanzania lost his life in an incident involving an aircraft on 28 august 2021. Memorial service events were held in honour of these two fallen heroes and their bodies have been repatriated to their respective countries. Our deepest condolences go to their families, friends and their respective countries. SAMIM would like to assure the people of Mozambique and SADC of a collective commitment to achieving a peaceful, stable and secure Cabo Delgado as well as the entire country of Mozambique.